Final answer:
To determine mortality rates, the collection of age-specific death and survival data, and the use of hazard analysis and parametric models provide the most accurate approach, especially for small sample sizes typical in paleodemography.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best approach to determine mortality rates within a population is by collecting data on the number of deaths and survivals within specific age groups over a defined time period. This can be achieved by using hazard analysis and parametric models to assess risks of death and mortality patterns, as opposed to relying solely on life tables. Hazard analysis provides a more reliable method for small sample sizes, often found in paleodemography. For accurate mortality rates, a researcher would count the number of individuals born and those that died in each age group.
Once the data is collected, the researcher can calculate the mortality rate for each age interval. This allows for understanding trends in adult and childhood mortality. These trends are usually expressed per 100,000 births to standardize the mortality rates, a common practice in demographics.